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#2 Texas vs #3 Texas A&M
This year the Lone Star Showdown is going to be bigger than most years. This year the Longhorns and Aggies are playing for all the marbles. The winner will take home the Big 12 South crown as well as be one win away from a National Championship appearance. Texas should have the advantage as they have won the last three times the teams have met, and host the nation's longest home winning streak at 19 straight home games. The Aggies however have the longest win streak in the nation at 12 games, one game ahead of Georgia. The Aggies, however have only won thirteen times against Texas in Austin in the series began in 1894.
The Texas Longhorns have come into this season determined to get back to the National Championship and win it this time. Last year Seniors Colt McCoy and Jordan Shipley were devastated after the heartbreaking loss to the Florida Gators. This year's Longhorns have vowed to make up for the loss of a year ago, and have done a good job of that so far. The Longhorns have yet to lose this season, but have been challenged by several teams. QB Garret Gilbert has taken over for McCoy and has keep the Texas ship upright, but Tre Newton has carried the Longhorn offense. Newton has been in the Heisman conversation all year and while he won't win it he has certianly not let his team down. The real reason the Longhorns have run the table to this point is because of their defense. Their defense has made plays all year long, leading the nation in takeaways with nearly 40. If the offense didn't turn it over so much they would be blowing people out of the water in turnover margin. If the Longhorns hope to beat the Aggies they will need to force some turnover, because the Aggies have only turned it over 8 times all year, fewest in the nation. The Longhorns should be up to the task, but a victory won't come easy.
The Texas A&M Aggies have come on as some what of a surprise. After 10 wins and a Cotton Bowl victory a year ago everybody was hoping for big things from the Aggies, but no one is expecting this. Coach Bear Bryant has done maybe the best job of his career this season. The Aggies Triple Option attack has been spectacular in it's first season in College Station, as the Aggies have run for the most yards in the nation, nearly 1,000 yards more than the next closest team. The passing game has been great, but it has been occasionally explosive and effective all year long. The biggest thing the Aggies offense has going for them is their efficiency. The lead the nation in third down conversions and redzone conversions. They have scored on nearly 95% of redzone trips on the season. The Aggies have also been very good at keeping the ball once they get it, only turning the ball over 8 times all year, fewest in the nation. The Aggies "Lone Star Defense" has been one of the best in the country. It got off to a rocky start in the first three weeks, but since then has been nothing short of spectacular. Led by FS Ryan Williams the Aggies have the top rush defense in the nation and are near the top in overall defense. If the Aggies are going to beat Texas they are going to need to be on top of their game. They are going to have to convert on third down and in the redzone, and they are going to need to win the turnover battle. The Aggies have been great all year long, but this is their toughest test yet, and if they can manage a win they will have certainly earned a potential spot in the BCS National Championship Game.
